Swinging Flies

The term "Spey" has been expanded from it's original and some would suggest correct definition to include all varieties of flies to be swung for salmon and steelhead. The list is ever expanding.

Spey Flies:

True spey flies were developed by the tiers and fishermen from Scotland who fished the River Spey. Most "Spey flies" had no tail (There are exceptions: The Lady Caroline being the most recognized spey fly that sports a tail), a slim body, a long flowing body hackle of primarily of the now extinct Spey Cock or Heron body feather (Now illegal for use in the US), a collar and a wing of Bronzed Mallard. The wings are tented over the body of the fly, not to pass the bend of the hook. They have a swept back "Shrimp" look to them and undulate enticingly in the current. Most Spey Flies were tied in dark or drab colors. Modern Spey Flies use Blue Eared Pheasant feathers, burnt Goose Shoulders, or Schlappen for substitutes for the body hackles.

Dee Flies:

Dee flies were developed for the River Dee, also in Scotland. Dee flies are similar to spey flies however tended to be brighter. In addition to the long flowing hackles, they used slips of swan wing feathers for the wings. Modern substitutes include Goose Shoulder, turkey, bustard and most other large bird feathers. They are placed on top of the fly in a scissor shape rather than tented like the Bronzed Mallard Spey Wings. The Akroyd is the most famous and recognizable Dee Fly.

Married Wing Salmon Flies:

Fly Tied By Charlie Dickson

Married Wing Salmon Flies come from the Victorian age and as in most of the artistry and craft that came out of this period in history, tend to be ornate and works of art themselves. Many tied today are meant for the frame instead of the river. The Green Highlander may be the most famous Married Wing Salmon Fly.

Hair Wing Salmon Flies:

Most Salmon flies for fishing these days are of the hair wing variety. Most are constructed of a tail, thread body, collar hackle and wing of either deer, bear or other body hair. Many of the flies used throughout the Salmon Rivers of Eastern Canada have long traditions of fishing hair wing flies. Names like The Blue Charm, Rusty Rat, and Pompier all are standard hair wing salmon flies.

Eagle Flies:

Eagle Flies replace the long flowing hackles of Spey and Dee flies with the fluffy body feather of Eagles. Modern Substitutes include the webbiest Blue Eared Pheasant feathers and Marabou.

Modern Northwest "Spey" Flies:

Modern Spey Flies encorporate many of the categorististics of Spey, Dee and Salmon Flies. They are tied in "Steelhead" colors, Bright orange, purple, pink. To be considered "Spey Flies" they maintain the swept back look of the original flies. Wings consist of bronze mallard, slips of goose shoulder, hackle tips and many other materials. Sid Glasso flies like the Orange Heron exemplify the modern Spey flies of the Pacific Northwest.

Marabou Spiders and Popsicle Flies:

spiders and popsicles are flies tied with folded marabou feathers wrapped around a hook or tube. Adding a collar of schlappen or teal creates a vortex adding to the movement of the fly. They have motion in the water that has enticed many steelhead to strike.

Rabbit Strip Spey Flies:

Fly By Charlie Dickson

Rabbit Strip Spey Flies have become popular in the great lakes and other fisheries. Usually consisting of a tail of zonker rabbit strip which extends to overlay the back of the fly plus a dubbed body and collar hackle of teal or schlappen, they are add the proven fish catching movement of rabbit hair to already fishy flies.

Tying on Tubes versus Hooks:

Larger flies can be tied on tubes with an adaptor to any vise. The use of tubes can add weight such as aluminum or brass tubes, take away weight such as using lastic tubes, or tubes can be used to comply with regulations of the fisheries.

In the Great Lakes, hooks cannot have a larger gap than 1.5 inches. Tubes can be effective in larger sizes because smaller hooks can be attached. Another benefit of tubes is that the hook detatches from the fly riding up the leader in the fight. This protects the fly from being destroyed by the fish's mouth.

Creative Fly Tying:

The Spectrum of swinging flies that work for steelhead and salmon is a large one. Speaking to the curious nature of anadromous species, the choice of an angler's flies may not reflect what is correct but many times is a reflection of how an angler views spey fishing. Many fishermen fish with flies that they want to catch fish on, not nessisarily what the local theories are. No two "spey" boxes are the same. Be creative and let the individual expressions of your tying show through.

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